The Livestock Conservancy

About The Livestock Conservancy

The Livestock Conservancy works towards genetic conservation and the promotion of heritage breeds. Since its inception in 1977 (as the American Minor Breeds Conservancy, and later, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy), The Livestock Conservancy has been a “central hub” for anything having to do with rare breed conservation in the United States. The Livestock Conservancy does research, education, outreach, marketing and promotion, and genetic rescues to help ensure the future of rare breed agriculture. The Livestock Conservancy staff members work out of a central office, but they are connected with breeders, members, and partners around the world. The Livestock Conservancy's central office staff members help to develop projects, produce marketing materials, connect breeders, facilitate research, and more, but it is our in-the-field partners who are doing hands-on conservation that allow the Conservancy to expand their reach. The Livestock Conservancy staff members also travel around the country to conduct workshops, spread the word about heritage breeds, and assist with research and field-work. Today, The Livestock Conservancy's work is more critical than ever. They help to protect our food systems by keeping alternative livestock and poultry genetic resources secure; they ensure the availability of broad genetic diversity for the continued evolution of agriculture; they conserve valuable genetic traits such as disease resistance, survival, self-sufficiency, fertility, longevity, foraging ability, maternal instincts; they preserve our heritage, history, and culture; they maintain breeds of animals that are well-suited for sustainable, grass-based and organic systems; and they give small family farms raising heritage breeds a competitive edge.